FUG!

Run over to Turtlegirl's place to see Le Fug! It's worth it. Honest.

Maryland Sheep and Wool

What a day! It was a great time. I don’t want to spoil much of the day because Shannon and I did a lot of recording for their pod cast, but I will hit on the highlights.

I left my house a little before 5:30. It was still dark. The moon was still up and the sun was just starting to rise.

I arrived at the all important Dunkin Donuts, where Shannon was to meet me (she is very brilliant for thinking about that one), we grabbed coffee and headed toward Philadelphia and Rosie’s Yarn Cellar.

There was no traffic and the directions to Rosie’s were perfect. We found a parking lot around the corner from the shop and parked. We got our breakfast and goodie tote bags and took some time to stand and stretch our legs after the long car ride.

By the way – Rosie’s bus was the best way to go! The breakfast was wonderful, fresh baked goods, fresh fruit cup plenty of coffee and orange juice. It hit the spot!

By this time we were hopped up on caffeine and really excited to get to there. Shannon was so freeking excited she could hardly stand it.

Just as we were arriving at the fair grounds, the bus was cut off and he swerved and we almost tipped over into the median. Applause erupted when the bus driver got us evened out and safely delivered to the entrance. Ahh - thank GOD the digital recorder escaped harm.


The day actually went by really fast. We shopped; we met up with some awesome knit bloggers and had a rest on the grassy knoll. This was actually one of the high-lites of my day. I was eagerly anticipating the appearance of le fug draped artistically around Turtlegirl and Trillian42, but it wasn’t to be. The fug was still being worked on and wasn’t ready for it’s close up. But I did get to see the Tomato sweaters. One of the things I love about knitting is that two people can make the same sweater and they can look so different. They were both beautiful and I can’t wait to make mine in the magenta-ish Shine I got from Knit Picks.

Artsygal was there and so was Stariel. I don't know why I don't have a picture of Stariel, but it seems these were the last pictures I took of the day. How cute is Artsy? I need to keep an eye open for her yarn when she has a new batch for sale.

We spent an hour with them and it wasn’t enough. I can’t wait for the Philly Knitty Meet up to see them again.

My last purchase of the day was, interestingly enough, at Rosie’s. They were kind enough to let people use the bathroom as well as purchase any notions they needed and couldn’t find at the fairgrounds. Naturally Shannon and I found something neither of us could live without – a shawl pattern and the 5 skeins of Koigu to knit it with.

We recorded a lot on the way home. I rambled like an over tired, punch drunk idiot. I hope I don’t sound really awful.

Pictures of the purchases tomorrow!

Tomorrow!

I’m off to Maryland Sheep and Wool! I’m so excited. Shannon and I are leaving on the bus from Rosie’s! I have to get up really early to pick up Shannon at my first destination - Dunkin Donuts. Coffee will be a MUST at that point.

Remember to listen to the SSK podcast. Shannon is bringing her recorder to capture the event for her and Stephanie’s podcast. I’ll be sure to take lots of photos.

Knitting content

(shocking I know!)

I've been working on socks like a nut. I have one more sock to finish and it will be four pair for the month. BUT - three of them were fairly quick knits. Thicker yarn (Cascade Fixation) and on US 3 needles.

These are my April Socktiopia socks. I chose the theme "Sunshine on My Shoulders". I knit them in a 1x1 twisted rib, with a slip stitch heel on US 0 needles. Just a basic sock. I used Ellen's Half Pint Farm yarn Wool 80%, Nylon 20%. They're nice and stretchy but they laddered something awful.


I love the way the heel flap and turn turned out.


I also made some pedicure socks from Knitty. I used the Cascade Fixation on size US 3 needles. I thought they would come in handy since it was so cold out and I wanted to get my tooties in shape for summer sandal season. The day I went for my pedicure it was 80 degrees, so I didn't need them. I'm sure I will next time.


The last two pair are also made with fixation on US 3 needles. Both pair are for my Mom for Mother's day. The pink are a basic sock with a picot edge cuff. The blue pair are an exclusive Socktopia pattern called Fanny. I still have 3/4 of that sock to knit, but I have time yet before Mother's Day.

I also started the shrug Shannon and I bought the yarn for at Michael's. I got almost all the way through the increases and realized I was increasing wrong, so I had to rip out and start over. Not much to see there so I'll post when it looks more than just a mass of stockinette with a little ribbing.

Plans were finalized this week to go to MD Sheep and Wool next Saturday. I'm really excited about it, not that I need any more yarn, but just to hang with Shannon and other knitters. I may even have a close encounter with the Fug. I can't wait!

Lunch Date

Have you listened to the podcast I told you about? SSK? Did you listen to the latest episode?

That’s right. I was Shannon’s “Mystery Date”. Heh

Shannon and I first started gabbing when Knitty D and the City had their bulletin boards. Then we became constant visitors on each other’s blogs, and got to know each other over the past couple months.

We met up at Michaels and it was like we knew each other since childhood. We had some coffee:(I totally had a “So I Married and Axe Murderer” moment there)

Then we headed for the yarn. We were so busy talking and laughing at the ugly yarn that was on sale for like $2, and deciding which colors of Cotton Ease to get that the only other picture I got was of Shannon with the yarn haul. It’s not all hers.

We both decided we needed to knit the same shrug. Shannon found the yarn and each color was better than the next. The shrug is the pattern on the ball band and so we’re having a knit-a-long.

All in all we had a great time. It was way too short. There is nothing like meeting other knit bloggers!

The hammering you hear is Ark building

OK, not really, but for a moment there on Monday I thought we'd be floating down the Raritan River. I was trying to get my projects lined up two by two. heh...

The water has receded around my work and home areas, but the traffic has not. It's got to be horrible trying to get to your home when 1/2 the streets in your town are flooded. At least they're talking about a warm weekend with temps in the mid 60s. An actual SPRING weekend. Yippee!

I never did show you my March Socktopia socks. I knit the Roza socks from the Spring IK and used Opal sock yarn and size US 0 needles. I think they came out great!

K.A.Y.E.

Kootchie Awareness Yarn ExtraGo over here and read all about it! It could mean free yarn and a huge yarn haul at the end of the year for doing what we already do yearly. And if you haven't gone in a while, then WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?????